The International School for Holocaust Studies

e-Newsletter for Holocaust Educators

Welcome to the 28th issue of Teaching the Legacy. This e-newsletter will focus on Jewish solidarity during the Holocaust.
The relationship between the individual and the community has been discussed for thousands of years in Jewish tradition and contemplative thought. For instance, what constitutes a "community" in Jewish tradition and practice? What obligations does the individual have toward the community, and what obligations must the community meet towards the individual? Must an individual be a part of the community, or can he escape his community? Should an individual put himself first, or must he think first of the others who surround him? Read more...

Main Article – “Jewish Solidarity in the Holocaust: The Individual and the Community”

This article discusses solidarity in a number of different contexts, such as youth movements and concepts such as the soup kitchens that were established in the ghettos.

Article – "I Shall Be What I Shall Be": The Story of Rabbiner Regina Jonas

Rabbi Regina Jonas was the first ordained woman rabbi in history. This article explains her desire to become a rabbi and to give of herself to the members of the Jewish community in Germany and in Theresienstadt during the Holocaust, and as such, is a story of selfless dedication and solidarity.

Lesson Plans

What’s New at Yad Vashem

Visit of President of Germany Joachim Gauck and Ms. Daniela Schadt to Yad Vashem May 29, 2012: The President of Germany, Joachim Gauck, and Ms. Daniela Schadt, visited Yad Vashem on May 29, 2012. They toured the Holocaust History Museum, including the Hall of Names, participated in a Memorial Ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance, and visited the Children's Memorial. President Gauck was accompanied throughout his visit by Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev. He was joined by President Peres in the Hall of Names and Hall of Remembrance.

Sapling from Chestnut Tree that Anne Frank Wrote About Planted at Yad Vashem: A sapling from the chestnut tree that Anne Frank wrote about in her diary was planted at Yad Vashem on Monday, March 26, 2012. The Anne Frank House decided to donate saplings to Yad Vashem and other institutions when the tree became sick. Anne wrote about the tree, which collapsed in 2010, three times in her diary, the last time on May 13, 1944, noting, "Our chestnut tree is in full bloom. It´s covered with leaves and is even more beautiful than last year."

Yad Vashem Posthumously Honors Stanisław and Regina Świda as Righteous Among the Nations from Poland: On Thursday, March 22, 2012, Yad Vashem held a ceremony posthumously honoring Stanisław and Regina Świda of Poland, as Righteous Among the Nations. Their granddaughter Małgorzata-Ana Gronek, accepted the medal and certificate of honor on her grandparents' behalf. The event took place in the presence Ms. Urszula Jurczyńska, Counselor of the Polish Embassy, survivor Dr. Avraham Horowitz, family and friends.

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Article – “Solidarity in the Forest – The Bielski Brothers”

One of the most inspiring and extraordinary stories of Jewish solidarity is the story of the Bielski Brothers who built a family camp in the forest of Western Belarus and saved the lives of around 1,200 Jews. The story brings to light the significance of human solidarity that was still possible even in the face of the surrounding atrocities.

An Interview with Yitzhak Livnat and Chaim Raphael

In this interview, the Holocaust survivors Yitzhak Livnat and Chaim Raphael talk about their own story of human solidarity and brotherhood that became an anchor of compassion in the face of the surrounding atrocities of Auschwitz Birkenau.

An Interview with Dr. Havi Dreifuss

In this interview, Dr. Havi Dreifuss, a historian, presents a sketch of the cohesion that existed among groups during the time of the Holocaust and, on the other hand, the rupture that occurred in segments of the Jewish society.